At C3 Studio, one of our core values is simple but powerful: we design for our clients, not ourselves. We work closely with homeowners to draw out what they envision and elevate it through thoughtful, timeless solutions. Still, we’re often asked about certain custom home design trends that we actively steer clients away from—not because we’re stuck in the past, but because these choices often look better in a magazine than they function in real life.

Below are a few of the trends we respectfully don’t include in our designs (willingly).

Double Kitchen Islands: More Isn’t Always More

This one comes up a lot. While double kitchen islands might seem luxurious on paper, we always start with one question: What’s the purpose?

Unless you’re opening a cooking school or hosting large-scale events weekly, the second island usually becomes an obstacle more than a feature. It places your guests and family 20+ feet away from the action, making the kitchen feel disconnected and less inviting.

Our Alternative: Consider a single island paired with a large farm table that can function as additional prep space—but still allows flexibility and intimacy.

Wet Rooms: Beautiful, But Problematic

A wet room—combining a freestanding tub and shower in a single glass enclosure—might seem spa-like in photos. But in reality, they can be difficult to maintain. Without a steam feature, the room never truly warms up. Instead, you get a damp, chilly space that echoes the vibe of a locker room. Add the potential for mildew and the cost of waterproofing, and it often becomes a poor return on your square footage.

Our Take: Save that space for features that actually enhance comfort and value.

Messy Kitchens or Second Kitchens: Not Worth the Investment

The concept of a secondary kitchen (sometimes called a “messy kitchen”) sounds practical for entertaining—but in reality, it often creates more problems than it solves. These spaces are typically isolated from the main area, meaning whoever’s cooking is left out of the social flow. Plus, moving hot food from one kitchen to another isn’t ideal. And from a budget standpoint? You’re essentially doubling the most expensive part of your home.

Our Alternative: A working pantry. This adjacent space can store dry goods, appliances, and even a second fridge—keeping your main kitchen clean without blowing the budget or adding structural complexity.

Craft Rooms: Reconsider the Real Use

We’re all for creativity—but a dedicated craft room often becomes wasted space. Most crafters don’t need a secluded, fully built-out room; they need smart storage and flexible work areas that integrate into the home’s core.

Better Idea: A well-designed walk-in storage area that keeps supplies organized without isolating the crafter in an underutilized part of the house.

Theater Rooms: Cool in Theory, Limiting in Practice

Yes, we said it: most dedicated theater rooms are a design dead end. Windowless, purpose-built, and inflexible, these rooms tend to be used less than expected and take up valuable square footage. Especially when today’s TVs and sound systems work beautifully in more dynamic, multi-use spaces.

Designing for Real Life, Not Just Pinterest

We understand the appeal of these trends—they photograph well and feel exciting. But at C3 Studio, we’re focused on helping our clients create custom home designs that are beautiful, functional, and lasting. That means guiding them toward decisions that make their homes work better for the way they actually live.

Do you agree or disagree with our take on these trends?